Ukrainian pilot jailed in Russia could 'die within days'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukrainian pilot jailed in Russia could 'die within days', 27 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55094146e.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 27, 2015
Jailed Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko has been on hunger strike for nearly 80 days.
A member of the Kremlin's human rights council has said that jailed Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko "could die within days."
Yelena Masyuk said on February 27 that she had visited Savchenko in jail the previous evening and the captive pilot's health had seriously deteriorated.
Savchenko has been on a hunger strike for nearly 80 days protesting what she calls her illegal detention and false charges brought against her.
Savchenko was captured by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine in June and taken to Russia, where she was charged with involvement in a mortar attack that killed two Russian journalists.
Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service issued a statement later on February 27 rejecting the claims by "journalist" Masyuk and claiming that Savchenko was being constantly monitored and was in no danger of dying.
The penitentiary service also questioned whether Masyuk had medical training that would allow her to comment on health issues.
Based on reporting by AFP, Interfax, and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
